Common cold
A cold is an infection that is felt in the nose and throat. Colds are spread from one person to another by viruses. The cold virus may be able to live for up to 72 hours on objects like toys, bottles, dishes and door knobs.
Symptoms of the common cold can include runny or stuffy nose, cough, slight fever, and headache. The child may be irritable and very uncomfortable. A stuffy nose may cause the child some discomfort in sucking a bottle, pacifier, or even getting to sleep.
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Stomach bug (gastroenteritis or Norovirus)
When someone talks about a stomach “bug” or stomach flu, it is usually to describe sudden nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It can be spread from person to person, or through food contamination.
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Allergies
Millions of children in the USA have some type of allergy. An allergy is the body’s reaction to something which does not bother most other people. You can be allergic to things like food, medication, plants, mold, pets or insect bites. Signs of an allergy include rash, runny nose, burning eyes, sneezing, swelling, vomiting or wheezing. But a child’s allergies are not contagious.
It is important to talk to your host parents about any allergies their children have. Follow family guidelines for prevention, management and treatments. We recommend you get precise written instructions from your host parents. Especially if English is not your native language, written instructions will make it easier for you to do the right thing when your host child has an allergic reaction. If a child is having difficulty breathing, take action and call 911.
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Asthma
Asthma is more common than we think. According to the CDC asthma affects 1 in 11 school age kids. Common symptoms are wheezing or a chronic cough. If your host child has been diagnosed with asthma, familiarize yourself with the treatment and prevention. This is a topic that should be discussed as part of your first conversation with your host family.
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